Improvement in hemmers for sewing-machines



2 Sheets--Sheet1.

H. A. ELLIS.

Hemmer for Sewing-Machines.

No. 136.495. Pa tentedMarch4,l873,

F/grj Wag/ H. ELLIS.

Hem mer for Sewing-Machines.

N o 1 3 6 49 5 Patented M arch 4, 187a.

AM PIIOTU-NTHOGRAPHIC ca MXQSHDRNE'S macs) 2 She-ts --Sheet 2.

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HENRY A. ELLIS, or SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVEMENT IN HEMMERS, FOR SEWlNG-MAGHINES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 136,495, dated March 4, v1873.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY A. ELLIS, of Springfield, in the county of Hampden and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improved Adjustable Hemmer; and I do hereby declare that the following is afull, clear, and

. feeder. Fig. 6, Plate 2, is an enlarged view of the hemmer and gatherer. Fig. 7, Plate 2, is an enlarged bottom view of the scroll-turner and its extended cloth-support.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures.

This invention relates to a new and improved attachment for sewing-machines which I denominate a combined hemmer and gatherer, with a folding gage. My objects are, first, to combine with a stationary scroll or clothturner a reciprocating spring-feeder, which is arranged over the cloth-turner and actuated by-the needle-bar of a sewing-machine in such manner that it will take up the amount of stretch in the folded edge of a hem while sewing the same, thus leaving it straight and smooth, as will be hereinafter explained; second, to construct the gage so that its arm or guide can be folded in line with its slotted strip; third, to locate the screw by which the strokes of the spring-feeder are adjusted in such a position that an operator can conveniently make the necessary adjustments, whether the machine be running or at rest, as will be hereinafter explained.

The following description of my invention will enable others skilled in the art to understand it.

In my Letters Patent numbered 126,139, I represent and describe a pair of nippers combined with a reciprocating cloth-turner for taking up the stretch in the folded edges of hems while sewing the same; but in practice it is found that the nippers, when made so with a tongue, 9 on its folding portion, which tongue extends as far as the needle-hole c, and affords a support and guide for the folded edge of the hem as far as the point where the needle penetrates the cloth. Directly over the said tongue is a reciprocating spring-feeder, V g, which is supported by the overhanging portion I), and extends down therefrom to the point 0, where it impinges with more or less pressure upon the tongue of the stationary scroll. This spring-feeder 9 slides in the portion D, and is moved by means of a needlebar acting upon the curved portion G of a lever, e, the lower end of which lever is received between two lugs, f, on said feeder. The acting end of the feeder g is split, as shown by Fig. 5, which allows it to adapt itself better to the folded edge of the cloth, and to guide this edge over the tongue 9 The lever e is pivoted at t" to a vertical post, at, rising from the portion D, and at e is an offset on lever, 0, through a portion, j, of which a thumb-screw, i, is tapped, which is held against the post d by means of a spring, 8, as shown in Fig. 4, Plate 1. It will thus be seen that the springfeeder is moved back by the needle-bar acting on arm G during the descent of the needle, and that during the ascent of the needle the spring .9 moves the feeder forward a given distance, which is regulated by the screw 2' abutting against the post d. The slotted portion A of the gage is secured to the frame h by means of a thumb-screw, which allows the instrument to be adjusted for hems of different widths, in the usual well-known manner. This frame It is represented in the drawing formed on the pressure-foot C; but if it is desired to secure the instrument to the cloth-plate of a sewing-machine, then the frame it will be independent of a pressure-foot.

The guide B is represented in my Letters Patent No. 126,139 as being formed on one end of the gage A; but in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 such guide is represented pivoted at a to the z reams gage A, which allows it to be folded beneath this gage, and in line with it, as shown by Fig. 2." When this guide is adjusted for use it bears against a shoulder at 1", which holds it in the desired position. By thus connecting the guide B to its gage A, the parts can be packed in a very small space, and will be received into sewingmachine drawers, as at present made; also the guide can be moved around so as to afford easy access to the shutter ot'a sewing-machine, and to allow the ready removal of circular work from it without detaching the instrument from the machine.

The spring-feeder g, which I have above described, acts only on the folded edge of the hem, which is pressed down upon the tongue 9 by this feeder near the needle-hole c. Durin g the recession of the feeder its acting point or end slides freely over the edge of the cloth, and does not drag on it like the nippers which I have above referred to. During the forward strokes of the feeder its end engages withthe folded edge of the cloth and presses the same forward to be stitched.

To adapt the instrument for gathering, it is only necessary to adjust the feeder forward by means of the screw 2', according to the length of strokes required, which adjustment can be conveniently made while the machine is run nin H aving described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The hem-turner, provided with a flat tongue, g extending forward to the needlehole in the presser, and supporting the turned edge of the material, in combination with the reciprocating upper feeder g, which engages and moves only the material lying on the said tongue, as and for the purpose described.

2. The gage A and the stationary tongue 9 in combination with the feeder g and operating-lever a, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. The guide B, pivoted to the gage A and provided with means, substantially as described, for holding it in operative position.

4. The combination of the operating-lever e ej, set-screw t. and the devices 9 g 9 constructed, arranged, and operating as described.

HENRY A. ELLIS.

Witnesses:

J. N. CAMPBELL, EDM. F. BROWN. 

